Utica

The flags fly above

By Kristyne E. Demske
C & G Staff Writer

Signature sign boasts new poles for county, state and city

UTICA — A sunny morning just before Independence Day saw the city flying the colors where it will be most noticed — right at the intersection of the major thoroughfares of Van Dyke Avenue and Hall Road.

Mayor Jacqueline Noonan, along with members of the Downtown Development Authority and city officials, raised three flags behind the year-old signature sign on the busy corner July 3.

The Downtown Development Authority, which put up the signature sign and added the flagpoles to sport the American, Michigan and Utica flags, always planned to have the flags on the site — it was just a matter of raising the money. More improvements, including lights for the flags, are planned later down the road for the sign.

At the time of the first flag-raising, the city of Utica’s correct-sized flag was not ready, so a MIA/POW flag was hoisted instead.

“We thought it was a great idea,” said Ray Weingartz, a local business owner and the treasurer of the DDA. He said the poles cost $4,000-$5,000.

City Councilman William Osladil agreed that the flagpoles nicely rounded out the sign area, which includes a water wheel and a reflecting pool, as well as flowers.

“It makes it look more complete,” he said.

Noonan said the project was authorized in November, and this was the soonest the poles could be installed.

Tom Steeh, a DDA member, was charged with putting together the project to raise the flags. He said residents might not know how beautiful the landmark is just by looking at it from the road.

“We just felt that the flying of all three flags just finishes off the signature sign,” he said. “I didn’t realize how beautiful it was till I walked by it.”

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Kristyne E. Demske at kdemske@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1041.